Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.18.32
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyTown Planning Has Ancient Roots
“Before the reign of King Pṛthu there was no planned arrangement for different cities, villages, pasturing grounds, etc. Everything was scattered, and everyone constructed his residential quarters according to his own convenience. However, from the time of King Pṛthu, plans were made for towns and villages.”
What the purport teaches
- Before King Pṛthu's reign, settlements were scattered and people built residences according to their own convenience. Planned arrangements began from his time.
- The purport explains that town and city planning is not a modern innovation. Regular planning can be seen in very old Indian cities.
- Lord Kṛṣṇa's capital, Dvārakā, was well planned even five thousand years ago. Mathurā and Hastināpura are also given as examples of well-planned ancient cities.
Try this today
Write down one example from the purport that shows the ancient roots of city planning.
Ask yourself
Does this account challenge my tendency to assume that careful planning belongs only to modern times?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.